Building Blocks: Smith and Martin Establish Themselves As Core Pieces Of White Sox Rotation

After early questions about durability, Shane Smith and Davis Martin are battling for who can throw the most innings for the White Sox this season.

Smith only managed to make it through the sixth inning four times in his first 15 starts, with the team managing his workload midway through the season, while Martin suffered a forearm injury that landed him on the IL for over a month.

Now in the final month of the season, both pitchers have surpassed 130 innings, with Martin holding a slight edge at 132.3 innings compared to Smith’s 131.

Martin was tagged for a loss on Saturday, after the offense managed to push across one run on eight hits. However, he still showcased his durability after the injury scare early in the year.

The 28-year-old right-hander allowed just two runs in five innings with three strikeouts and a walk, and could have gone even deeper in the game if not for a dropped third strike in the first inning that forced him to throw an extra 14 pitches.

He has now thrown at least five innings in all but one start since returning from the IL in late July and has not allowed more than three earned runs in a game since August 5th.

While Martin hasn’t generated many whiffs, he has produced a ground ball rate of 45% which has helped him keep opposing hitters at bay. His new kick change has also emerged as the best weapon of his arsenal, with nearly 33 inches of vertical drop.

Had Martin not missed time, he would likely be over 150 innings this season. As things currently stand, he has a career high in innings.

Meanwhile, Smith is coming off an impressive performance against Tampa Bay on September 11, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings, striking out four batters, and allowing only four hits.

Following that start White Sox rookie Chase Meidroth heaped praise on the team’s lone All-Star representative.

“He throws a lot of strikes. Every time he’s on the mound, we should win,” Meidroth told reporters. “ He’s a No. 1 in this league. He’s really good.”

Since August 1, Smith has allowed 14 earned runs across 44.1 innings, while punching out 41 hitters and giving up just 16 free passes. His last start against the Rays also marked the 17th time this season he has allowed four hits or fewer.

Of his 26 starts this season, seven have been scoreless.

The Rule 5 pick out of Milwaukee has emerged as the ace of the rotation and has carved out a role as a potential cornerstone of the rotation. He has posted a 3.78 ERA during his first year as a starter while also throwing more innings than he ever has in his professional career.

Even with several arms waiting in the wings, both Martin and Smith have proven to be arms the White Sox can trust.

Related Posts

🚨 BOSTON MLB WAR IGNITES: Sources reveal the Red Sox are now locked in a fierce three way battle with the Yankees and Orioles for a prized Boston area star turning free agency into a symbolic showdown of money vision and pride that could reshape AL East power and fracture fan loyalties across New England.

The only thing the Boston Red Sox have added to the major league roster so far this offseason is starting pitching, but is there still a need. Weeks after tradi

🚨 BOSTON MLB WAR: Sourceѕ now ѕаy the Red Sox аre locked іn а fіerce bаttle wіth both the Yаnkeeѕ аnd Orіoleѕ to lаnd а рrіzed Boѕton-аreа рroduct, а rіvаlry thаt іnѕіderѕ wаrn could exрlode іnto one of the ѕeаѕon’ѕ moѕt drаmаtіc free-аgency ѕаgаѕ. Wіth аll three clubѕ offerіng rіvаl vіѕіonѕ аnd ѕtаggerіng contrаctѕ, thіѕ іѕn’t juѕt а ѕіgnіng — іt’ѕ а ѕymbolіc ѕhowdown thаt could reѕhарe the bаlаnce of рower іn the AL Eаѕt аnd redefіne fаn loyаltіeѕ аcroѕѕ New Englаnd….

The only thing the Boston Red Sox have added to the major league roster so far this offseason is starting pitching, but is there still a need. Weeks after tradi

Yankees Superstar Aaron Judge Has Allegedly Declined to Attend MLB Pride Night, Sparking Intense Backlash Across Baseball

Article

🛑 MLB INSIDE REPORT: The White Sox have reportedly shut down every single inquiry about a former Red Sox catcher, sending a clear and unexpected message to rival teams quietly circling behind the scenes. What looked like a negotiable situation has suddenly turned ice cold, raising questions about hidden plans, internal evaluations, and a move that may not be as simple as it once seemed. Insiders believe there is more happening here than the public is being told.

The White Sox appear they want to keep the young catcher they acquired from the Red Sox.

🧨 MLB INSIDE UPDATE: Braves just received unexpectedly positive news about Bo Bichette’s chances after a recent report that had fans bracing for a setback — sources now suggest the outlook may be far better than anyone expected, fueling speculation that Atlanta could land a major hitting upgrade without the massive cost everyone feared. With this twist emerging behind the scenes, the entire NL East picture might be quietly realigning around one of baseball’s most coveted stars.

Could the Atlanta Braves be a top suitor for free agent Bo Bichette? A recent prediction indicates that could be the case.

🚨 BOSTON MLB WAR: Sources now say the Red Sox are locked in a fierce battle with both the Yankees and Orioles to land a prized Boston-area product, a rivalry that insiders warn could explode into one of the season’s most dramatic free-agency sagas. With all three clubs offering rival visions and staggering contracts, this isn’t just a signing — it’s a symbolic showdown that could reshape the balance of power in the AL East and redefine fan loyalties across New England.

The only thing the Boston Red Sox have added to the major league roster so far this offseason is starting pitching, but is there still a need. Weeks after tradi